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The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Yair Lapid, Minister of Finance of the State of Israel, yesterday signed a Declaration of Intent to begin negotiations on a customs Mutual Recognition Arrangement between the two countries.

The Canada Border Service Agency’s Partners in Protection program and the Israel Tax Authority’s Authorized Economic Operator program both enhance border and trade chain security. Negotiations on a Mutual Recognition Arrangement between both programs are expected to begin in November 2014.

Quick Facts

To ensure the security and prosperity of Canadians, the Canada Border Services Agency works cooperatively with its international partners to combat contraband trade and prevent transborder crime.

Canada and Israel share a strong trade relationship. A Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement has been in force since 1997, and both countries signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement in December 2012.

The Partners in Protection program is designed to make border processes more efficient for low-risk, pre-approved businesses recognized as trusted traders.

A Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) signifies that both countries apply similar security standards and similar site validations when approving companies for membership in their respective Authorized Economic Operator programs.

An MRA allows both countries to recognize each other’s members and may grant them similar benefits. Canada currently has MRAs with the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore.

Quotes

“Our Government has been clear in our support of Israel as a great friend and ally. I am pleased to have signed this Declaration of Intent which indicates the strength of the continued relationship between our two countries. The Declaration and future Mutual Recognition Arrangement will increase cooperation between Israeli and Canadian customs administrations and will allow us to continue to work together to expand our international trade network and improve trade chain security.”